NYAS Cymru has urged the Welsh Government to ensure the needs of care-experienced children and young people are prioritised in a new mental health delivery plan for Wales, which is currently being reviewed.
Responding to a public consultation on the ‘Together for Mental Health Delivery Plan 2019-2022’, NYAS Cymru has welcomed government intentions to improve mental health and wellbeing for all ages, but wants the plan to place more emphasis on the specific needs of vulnerable care-experienced children and young people. We are also calling for greater focus to be placed on mental health advocacy.
Sharon Lovell, NYAS Cymru National Executive Director said, “NYAS Cymru agrees that improving mental health and wellbeing for all ages is the right approach, but we are eager to see more emphasis placed on the specific needs of the vulnerable children and young people that we work with.
“We are also asking that advocacy in mental health is considered as a vital priority area for the plan, to ensure a rights-based mental health model in Wales. Importantly, we are urging that advocacy at every level of engagement with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) should be commissioned to organisations that understand children and young people’s rights.”
Ben Twomey, NYAS Head of Policy and Research said, “The risks of poor mental health faced by care-experienced children and young people are significantly greater than their peers. Adverse environments and the experience of trauma routinely compromise their mental health and wellbeing and the plan needs to recognise this”
“We are grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to the consultation and help influence the mental health agenda in Wales on behalf of care-experienced children and young people. We are launching NYAS’ campaign for positive mental health later this year, and will continue to work with the Welsh Government on these issues.”
